192 HEJAZ. 



ranked among the first pashas of the empire. When 

 the Porte became unable, even by means of large 

 armies, to secure its command over that country, 

 these subordinate rulers threw off their dependence ; 

 although they still called themselves the servants 

 of the sultan, prayed for him in the great mosque, 

 and received the wonted investiture. 



The succession to the government of this province, 

 like that of the Bedouin sheiks, is not hereditary ; 

 though it usually remained in the same tribe so long 

 as the power of that tribe preponderated. The elec- 

 tion was always made from one of the sheriff families 

 descended from the Prophet, settled in Hejaz. They 

 were divided into various subordinate branches, of 

 which sometimes one sometimes another enjoyed 

 the sovereignty of the holy cities. There were no 

 ceremonies of installation or oaths of allegiance. The 

 new governor received complimentary visits ; his 

 band played before the door, an honour significant 

 of royalty ; and his name was inserted in the public 

 prayers. Succession rarely took place without dis- 

 putes ; but the contests were in general neither san- 

 guinary nor of long duration . The rivals submitted, 

 or rather withdrew in gloomy silence ; and atone- 

 ment for the blood shed on both sides was duly made 

 by fines paid to the relations of the slain. 



The result of these political quarrels was attended 

 with bad consequences to the community ; for though 

 they checked the power of the reigning sheriff, they 

 weakened the state by the frequent occurrence of 

 wars, feuds, and intestine broils. The vicissitudes 

 of fortune to which they gave rise, and the arts of 

 popularity which the chiefs were obliged to employ, 

 gave to the government of Hejaz a character dii 



